Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)

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     Three incoming female passengers were each sentenced to three to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 16) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers intercepted three incoming female passengers, aged 25 to 42, at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 14 and the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (June 15). A total of 30 162 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $123,000 and a duty potential of about $99,000, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en/).

Ends/Monday, June 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:40

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A 42-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 16) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 14, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.

A 34-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 16) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (June 15), in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.

A 25-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (June 16) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (June 15), in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.